Hezuo history

Foundation and First Mentions

The city of Hezuo (Tibetan name: Tsoe) is situated in the picturesque Gansu Province. Historically, this territory, located at the junction of the Tibetan Plateau and the Loess Plateau, has been inhabited by nomadic peoples for many centuries. Unlike many other cities, Hezuo did not emerge from a single founding event but formed organically as a vital settlement in the historical Amdo region. The city received its current name, which phonetically echoes the Tibetan original, during the administrative development of the region in China.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of Hezuo was facilitated by a unique combination of geographical and economic factors that transformed it into a significant regional centre:

• Geography: Its location at an altitude of nearly 3,000 metres above sea level made the city a natural gateway between agricultural districts and high-mountain pastures.
• Trade Routes: Branches of the ancient Tea Horse Road, connecting the country's interior with Tibet, passed through this territory. An active exchange of goods took place here: tea and fabrics were traded for wool, leather, and horses.
• Religious Significance: The city's establishment is inextricably linked to the development of Buddhism in the region, which attracted not only merchants but also pilgrims.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Hezuo was based on caravan trade and traditional animal husbandry. The city served as a meeting place for various ethnic groups, which shaped its unique local colour. A special place in the city's history is occupied by the construction of the Zuoge Monastery and the famous Milarepa Pavilion, erected during the Qing Dynasty (around 1777). This architectural structure became the spiritual core of the settlement, around which life bustled, crafts developed, and cultural ties between the local population and travellers were strengthened.

Major Milestones in the City's History

• 1673 — Foundation of the Buddhist monastery, around which the settlement began to form, eventually becoming the modern city of Hezuo.
• 1777 — Construction of the famous nine-storey Milarepa Pavilion, which became the spiritual heart and architectural landmark of the region.
• 1953 — Establishment of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, laying the groundwork for the city's future administrative status.
• 1956 — Transfer of the prefecture's administrative centre to this settlement and the official adoption of the name "Hezuo" (meaning "Cooperation").
• 1988 — Commencement of the large-scale restoration of the Milarepa Pavilion, returning the city's main historical attraction to its former glory.
• 1998 — By a decree of the State Council of China, the town was officially upgraded to the status of a county-level city.
• 2000s — Active development of urban infrastructure and modernisation of the road network, connecting the highlands with major centres.
• 2013 — Opening of the Gannan Xiahe civil airport nearby, which opened up the region to mass tourism.
• 2019 — Successful completion of a number of social programmes that significantly transformed the city's appearance and improved the quality of life.
• Present Day — Hezuo is developing as a key tourism hub and the cultural capital of the prefecture, hosting annual festivals.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The transformation of Hezuo from a traditional trading post into a modern regional centre passed through several key stages. Each of these events had a substantial impact on the economic structure, architectural appearance, and cultural life of the city.

• Establishment of the Administrative Core (1956): The confirmation of the city as the capital of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture was a turning point. This decision launched the process of creating centralised urban infrastructure, administrative buildings, and educational institutions.
• Development of Processing Industry: Being the centre of a pastoral region, the city focused on processing local produce. The construction of dairy and leather enterprises laid the foundation for economic stability and created jobs.
• Acquisition of City Status (1998): The official elevation of administrative rank from county to county-level city allowed for the attraction of additional government investment and the commencement of large-scale urban planning.
• Cultural and Tourism Renaissance: The restoration of iconic religious sites, primarily the Milarepa Pavilion, not only returned the city's spiritual significance but also formed the basis for the development of pilgrimage and educational tourism.
• Infrastructure Breakthrough (2010s): The opening of the airport and the modernisation of expressways integrated the city into the national transport network of China. This radically simplified logistics and increased the flow of tourists.
• Ecological Modernisation and Landscaping: In recent years, programmes to improve the urban environment have been implemented, including greening, facade renovation, and the creation of comfortable public spaces, changing the city's look to be more modern and welcoming.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

The urban landscape of Hezuo represents a unique interweaving of centuries-old Tibetan traditions and modern urbanism. Unlike cities with European history, the shift in architectural eras here is traced not through Gothic or Baroque styles, but through the interaction of religious architecture and state urban planning of the 20th and 21st centuries. The city formed around a spiritual centre, gradually growing with administrative and residential quarters.

Traditional Architecture: The Era of Monasteries

The historical core that set the tone for the entire architectural ensemble is the monastery complex. This layer of development belongs to the traditional Tibetan style, which was shaped over centuries and adapted to the harsh climate of the highlands.

• Characteristic Features: Massive stone walls tapering upwards for earthquake resistance, flat roofs, trapezoidal windows with black frames, and the use of sacred colours — white, dark red, and yellow.
• Landmark Object — Milarepa Pavilion: The main architectural dominant of the city. This is a majestic nine-storey tower-temple, erected (and later restored) as a dedication to the great yogi and poet. The building combines the monumentality of a fortress with the elegance of a sacred structure, featuring gold toppings and richly painted facades.

The Modern Stage: Functionalism and Ethno-Style

After the city became the administrative centre of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in China, an era of active modernisation began. Urban development in recent decades can be characterised by two directions:

• Socialist Functionalism: In the mid-20th century, administrative and residential buildings appeared, focused on practicality and simple forms. These include wide avenues and concrete structures ensuring the functioning of urban infrastructure.
• Neo-Tibetan Style (Postmodernism): In modern developments, especially in public buildings, museums, and cultural centres, architects strive to integrate the national code. Modern high-rise buildings are decorated with stylised roofs, "penma" friezes, and traditional ornaments, creating a unified visual appearance with the historical part.

Today, Hezuo demonstrates an example of respectful treatment of heritage: new districts do not suppress but rather frame the sacred places, and wide streets are designed to open up views of the surrounding mountain landscapes.

Outstanding Figures and Cultural Heroes

The history of the city of Hezuo and the Gannan region is inextricably linked with the names of great spiritual teachers, rulers, and cultural figures. Since the city is an important religious centre in the Amdo region, most significant figures here belong to the spiritual and historical elite who influenced the formation of the unique cultural landscape of this part of China.

• Jetsun Milarepa (1052–1135) — Great yogi, poet, and Buddhist teacher.
  Although Milarepa himself lived in Tibet, he is the unseen patron of the city. It is in his honour that the famous nine-storey pavilion (Fogé) was erected in Hezuo, standing as a one-of-a-kind architectural monument. His biography and "The Hundred Thousand Songs" are revered by the local population as supreme wisdom.
• Gungthang Rinpoche VI (1926–2000) — Prominent religious figure and educator.
  He played a key role in the recent history of the city. It was thanks to his initiative, authority, and efforts in the late 1980s that the Milarepa Pavilion was restored. He was actively involved in education and the preservation of cultural heritage in the Gannan region.
• Songtsen Gampo (604–650) — 33rd King of the Yarlung Dynasty.
  The unifier of Tibet, whose policies fostered the establishment of strong ties between the central regions of China and the highlands. The Hezuo region fell within the sphere of influence of his empire, becoming an important node on the trade and diplomatic routes of that time.
• Princess Wencheng (625–680) — Chinese Princess of the Tang Dynasty.
  A historical figure who became a symbol of cultural exchange. According to legends, her journey to Tibet for her marriage to Songtsen Gampo passed through the lands of Gansu and Qinghai (the Tang-Tibet Ancient Road). She is revered for introducing technologies, medicine, and Buddhist statues to the region.
• Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419) — Reformer of Buddhism, founder of the Gelug school.
  A native of the Amdo region (to which Hezuo culturally belongs). His teachings formed the basis of the city's spiritual life; the local Zuoge Monastery belongs specifically to the school he founded. His influence on the architecture and monastic order of Hezuo is fundamental.
• The Second Jamyang Zhépa (1728–1791) — Spiritual leader and administrator.
  A representative of the lineage of reincarnations that traditionally governs the Labrang Monastery (located nearby). His activities contributed to the spread of Buddhism and the construction of temples in the territory of modern Hezuo, strengthening the religious status of the settlement in the 18th century.